Early indications are Eric Cornel will be given every opportunity to blossom into the offensive leader the Peterborough Petes envisioned when he was drafted.

Cornel, 17, selected third overall in the 2012 OHL draft, centred a top line with Nick Ritchie and Stephen Nosad and capped a nifty three-way passing play from his linemates in a 7-4 preseason win over the Belleville Bulls on Thursday.

Nosad and Ritchie, along with Nelson Armstrong, had a goal and assist each before 1,796 Memorial Centre patrons. Jonatan Tanus, Cody Thompson and Steve Lorentz also scored while Cameron Lizotte — who had his first OHL fight with Jake Marchment — along with Deric Boudreau, Chase Hatcher and Matt Spencer added assists. Two Petes goals were shorthanded.

Cornel has two goals and an assist in three games and has stuck out to head coach Jody Hull as one of his most impressive performers early on.

“You noticed right off the hop with Eric he had some confidence and renewed energy in his game,” Hull said. “That’s one of the reasons in camp I stuck him with Nick. Nick can be a dominant player in our league and it might give Eric a bit more confidence playing with him. They seemed to click in camp and it’s carried over into games.”

Cornel said everything was new last year from teammates to school to the league. He’s returned feeling more comfortable and hoping to build on the team’s second half success last year.

“I learned a lot on how I need to prepare and I focused a lot on that this summer,” Cornel said. “I think it’s paid off. It’s a big year. Maybe, I didn’t do as well as I would have liked last year. I worked hard in the summer and I have high expectations of myself this year.”

Cornel had four goals and 16 points in 63 games as a rookie playing primarily in a fourth line role. Hull says he’ll be given more opportunity to play a bigger role. He admits he’s flip-flopped on using Cornel as centre or right wing but right now likes him pivoting Ritchie.

“It’s always difficult to do it as a 16-year-old in the league but now he knows what the league is about,” Hull said. “He’s gone home and gotten a little bigger and stronger. He looks faster and looks determined. If our first week of camp is any indication, Eric could have a pretty good season.”

The Petes built an early 3-0 lead and were up 6-1 before the Bulls mounted a comeback with three straight. Armstrong cemented the win with a late empty net goal. The Petes improved to 2-1 in exhibition action. Their next game is Tuesday in Ajax against the Oshawa Generals. David Tomasek led Belleville with a goal and assist while Adam Berisha and Jake Bricknell also scored.

Hull says he’s happy with what he’s seen so far.

“We’ve won a couple of games with half a lineup,” Hull said. “That bodes well, especially when you are missing some key guys within the room and on the ice. When you can win and they’re not there it’s a good sign.”